The last consoles: the cloud set to rain on the console parade – Reader’s Feature

A GameCentral reader wonders whether this will be the last generation of consoles and if everyone can keep up with the future of gaming.

In the last couple of months we have seen the release of the latest consoles. Both the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One boasts impressive specs. Graphics of the highest order and processing capability of amazing proportions. But is this the last console release we will be getting? I think it might just be.

As the Internet improves, our speeds increase and more and more people are online the possibility of cloud gaming is becoming a more and more and serious reality for all gamers. With the boom of smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs where does a new console does fit in with a cloud-hosted system?

The level of graphical output or processing power wouldn’t matter as the game is being run by servers elsewhere in the world, which could be updated and changed to cope with bigger and better games. Imagine being able to play the latest Call Of Duty or Mario anywhere, on any device which connects to the Internet, with the graphics and at the speed of a home console. And this ability is happening now.

Back in summer 2012 Sony acquired Gaikai’s cloud-based servers, allowing for the streaming of content, and this month Sony announced that it would start its streaming of games on PlayStation Now with the latest 2014 Sony TVs fully supporting the service as well as the PlayStation 4. This ability to stream gaming also has a great financial benefit. Though the outlay cost Sony around $400 million dollars the returns could be far greater than that on a console, given that they will no longer have to deal with the manufacturing and distribution costs of the console.

There would be a chance for developers to create original and exciting new content for two reasons, Firstly, being hosted digitally means that the cost of production is lower, without the need for Blu-ray disks, and secondly the ability to utilise things such as touchscreen technologies with high-end processors and graphics, allowing for a wider demographic to enjoy gaming of a higher quality and hopefully standard, ultimately making the experience for gamers more enjoyable and varied.

There are of course several problems with this. As it stands downloading a game is a timely costly affair with many downloadable games costing considerably more than there physical counterparts, with far fewer deals taking place. There is also an issue with the ability to trade-in physical titles, especially given that some games are short or poorly made.

I am sure that the publishers could create a form of digital games trade-in perhaps where if you trade–in the download you get a percentage of your next download from that publisher. In this way the consumer feels as though they are not being ripped off and the publisher is still making money off of their new titles.

And Internet speed isn’t too great and not everyone is on it. Argumentatively you could say that the majority are, but for those who are not, they will be isolated and not able to join in something they may enjoy. After all buying a console is one of cost, as are the games, but a streaming services is likely to require a subscription, which on top of a higher enough quality Internet bill may prove too much for some.

Whatever side you are on our industry is going through some exciting changes and I can’t wait to see how the PlayStation TV performs and what the future holds for gamers.

By reader Robert Ling

The reader’s feature does not necessary represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.

You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. As always, email gamecentral@ukmetro.co.uk